Cirque,

If you do full body with an IPL, you are far more likely to experience burns than with an appropriately used laser. There are many reasons why, but I will try to keep it simple.

There is a reason why 1064nm (Nd: Yag laser) and 755nm (Alexandrite laser) are the most popular wavelengths for hair removal by laser or light based devices. The combination of depth of penetration, attraction to specific chromophores, time applied to the treatment area, and energy delivered all make 1064nm and 755nm the most desired wavelengths for a combination of skin and hair types. Whether it's a balance of depth, attraction to oxy-hemoglobin, melanocytes, etc. They are the most effective.

The 755nm wavelength is more effective for lighter and/or finer hair than the 1064nm wavelength. At the same fluence, the 1064nm will be less likely to cause epidermal blistering in patients with very dark skin, but will be less effective for finer, lighter hair.

Hair removal is ultimately most effective on individuals with the greatest contrast between light skin and dark hair. Darker skin, and lighter hair are the most difficult to achieve long term hair removal.

755 light targets melanin in the hair shaft and minimally effects surrounding tissue. Keep this in mind- 690nm, or Ruby laser (not to be confused with 690nm diode or IPL) is most effective and painless on lighter skin with lighter hair. 755nm offers the least amount of pain in oxy-hemoglobin rich skin while delivery the most effective treatment to the follicles. As you go up in wavelength, the oxy-hemoglobin targeting causes more pain- so anything above 755nm grows gradually more painful for lighter skin, and gradually less painful for darker skin- 1064nm being optimal for dark skin with dark hair with regard to effectiveness and pain tolerance- not that it is pain-less.

IPL does not operate at these optimal wavelengths. And while the argument can be made that any wavelength offered by IPL or Diode can serve as a balance between different skin type/hair type combinations for pain tolerance and efficacy, no IPL or diode is monochromatic, collimated, or stimulated emission of radiation- they are not as effective as laser.

The Lumenis One has the option for the Lightsheer Diode, which deliver 800nm light that is close to monochromatic. They are usually quite effective. The Lumenis One also has an Nd: Yag option, but not a very high average power (may be painful).